The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-02-03

Tho person who fought the hard nght TO
wrest Ohio from the wilderness and its native
savages were not all trained warriors or saga
cious statesmen. No ono played . more i'm
portant part in the very early history Of the
territory than John Gottlieb Heckewelder, the
Moravtan missionary, who was civilizing the
Indians In Eastern Ohio long before the colonies
had achieved Independence. Heckewelder WAS
not In the Continental armies, but he was
undergoing hardships that rivaled those Of the
soldiers und 1t iG matter Of history that his
influence with the Indians became SO great that
he was able TO prevent them from harassing
the frontier settlements, as the British OF De-
troit were eheerfully urging them to do. His
influence with the Indians caused him to be
captured and dragged to Detroit upon one o.
casion, where he was tried for being Q spy, and
had narrow escape from death.
Heckewelder made Q study Of the Indians,
and Of their language, and did . good deal Of
trsnslating for them, and when General Putnam
came to Ohio In l788, he found that the most
thoroughly well informed and useful man In the
whole West was tho Moravian missionary.
Heckcwelder hos written IAN Account Of the
History, Manners and Customs Of the Indian
Nations Who once inhabited the Pennsylvonia
and Neighboring States," that is almost classic
in its way. He was we'll fitted for his work.
Born In Bedford, England, In l74S, he was in his
eleventh year brought by his parents, who were
leaders among the Moravians. Ia Bethlehem, Pa.
the well-known Christian Frederick Post TO es-
tabiish mission among the Indian tribes on tho
branches Of the Muskingum river. Here on the
Tuscarawas fork Post had built Q cabin in 176i,
nesr the site Of the town Of Bolivar, and st this
point, with his eager young assistant the daunt-
less missionary began the work Of preaching
tho Gospel TO the Indians. But the time was
not favorable one, and tho actions Of the In
dians indicated speedy resumption of hostili.
ties, - the enterprise was Abandoned within .
few months and Hockewelder returned TO Beth
lehem. but his eyes had caught . glimpse Of the
deld and tho work that was TO occupy his life.
In the summer Of It'll he entered upon his
actual career - an evangelist to the Indians,
sharing the wavering fortunes Of the Aoravian
nisaion for period Of fifteen years.
Tho famous missionary David zeisberger,
whose papers have inst boon published by . his.
lished mission In the valley Of the Mus.
kngum, and Heckewelder was made his
assistant. Near the point which they had
chosen were built In succession Schonbrun,
Gnsdenhutten, Lichtensu and Salem, flourish
ting towns Of Aoravisn Indians, and hero Heck
sweider was lsboring with great success whom
the Revolution commenced. w
After Hcckewelder's return nom the enforced
visit 70 Detroit that has been mentioned, he
made settlement on the Cuyahogs near Cievs-
land, and II was here that he closed his mission.
sry lAbors, and years memorable In his life, In
The course Of which he says he was "in journey
tnss often. In perils Of water. In perils Of rob-
bers, In perils Of his eountrymen. In perils By
the heathen, in perils tn the wilderness, In wea-
riness, in watchings often, In hunger and thirst,
In hastings often. in cold and nakedness."
In the summer of 1792 Heckewelder was a.
sociatcd by the Government with General Ru-
fus Putnam lat Putnsm's request), to trest
for peace with the Indians Of the Wabash, and
they travelled on this mission as far - Post
Vincenncs, where articles OF peaco were for